June 12, 2014

Sierra Leone: Return of an Ebola refugee

Government has confirmed that the driver from Mambolo in Kambia, who tested positive for Ebola, has yesterday 11th June 2014, been discharged from the Kenema Government Hospital after treatment which saw his viral load reduced to negative tests for many days. Also, it now appears that his wife had never tested positive for Ebola but had merely accompanied husband to Kenema when his tests initially showed positive.

Health Ministry Spokesman Sidie Yahya Tunis confirmed to this paper that the driver has survived. Also, apparently, it was an error on the part of the Ministry to have stated in 10th June 2014 update that 2 out of the 16 dead Ebola patients were from Kambia. Tunis said no deaths so far in Kambia.

According to him they are now putting robust action in place to contain the disease. He said UNFPA has provided support for them to recruit Community Volunteers who will be trained to tour various communities and search for contact tracing.

Meanwhile, reports monitored from Daru in Jawei chiefdom of Kailahun district are that Mr. Sheku Konneh, the husband of the late Nurse Messie Konneh, has suddenly appeared in the town from apparent hiding. He is reported to be alive but very weak and emanciated from almost two weeks in hiding.

He confessed that he went into hiding when he was informed that his wife had died from suspected Ebola and he realized that all the medical persons who treated his wife plus all the women who washed her corpse had died. The Imam who prayed over her corpse has also died.

Mr. Sheku Konneh is alleged to have feared he also had Ebola and hid to avoid being taken to Kenema hospital. When he was not seen for two weeks, it was assumed he had also died and got recorded as dead. Reports are that on his arrival in Daru yesterday, he received medical care and blood samples have been taken off him for testing.

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Government has confirmed that the driver from Mambolo in Kambia, who tested positive for Ebola, has yesterday 11th June 2014, been discharged from the Kenema Government Hospital after treatment which saw his viral load reduced to negative tests for many days. Also, it now appears that his wife had never tested positive for Ebola but had merely accompanied husband to Kenema when his tests initially showed positive.

Health Ministry Spokesman Sidie Yahya Tunis confirmed to this paper that the driver has survived. Also, apparently, it was an error on the part of the Ministry to have stated in 10th June 2014 update that 2 out of the 16 dead Ebola patients were from Kambia. Tunis said no deaths so far in Kambia.

According to him they are now putting robust action in place to contain the disease. He said UNFPA has provided support for them to recruit Community Volunteers who will be trained to tour various communities and search for contact tracing.

Meanwhile, reports monitored from Daru in Jawei chiefdom of Kailahun district are that Mr. Sheku Konneh, the husband of the late Nurse Messie Konneh, has suddenly appeared in the town from apparent hiding. He is reported to be alive but very weak and emanciated from almost two weeks in hiding.

He confessed that he went into hiding when he was informed that his wife had died from suspected Ebola and he realized that all the medical persons who treated his wife plus all the women who washed her corpse had died. The Imam who prayed over her corpse has also died.

Mr. Sheku Konneh is alleged to have feared he also had Ebola and hid to avoid being taken to Kenema hospital. When he was not seen for two weeks, it was assumed he had also died and got recorded as dead. Reports are that on his arrival in Daru yesterday, he received medical care and blood samples have been taken off him for testing.